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NDTV
2 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Gautam Gambhir To Make 3 Changes For Manchester Test, Report Drops Sai Sudharsan Surprise
The Indian cricket team looks set to make three changes to the roster for the 4th Test against England in Manchester, starting Wednesday. While Anshul Kamboj is leading the race among pacers to replace the injured Akash Deep in the team, head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill also need to replace the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been ruled out of the series. While Nitish and Akash's replacements are forced to a large extent, one unforced change is also expected to take place. As per a report in the Indian Express, B Sai Sudharsan could make a return to the playing XI, after being dropped from the team, following a poor show in the series opener at Leeds. In that game Sai played at the No. 3 spot while Karun Nair came out to bat lower in the order. In the second and the third Test, Nair was preferred over Sudharsan for the one-down position. While Kamboj is expected to make his Test debut, in place of injured Akash, Shardul Thakur is likely to be drafted into the team as a replacement for Nitish Reddy for the pace-bowling all-rounder's role. Though India's nets session on Tuesday was affected by rain, Sudharsan's inclusion looked quite likely because of the time he still managed to spend in the middle. The Tamil Nadu batter even did shadow practice when the pitch was covered, and observed the greenish-brown areas closely. The bare-footed Sai Sudharsan is back, this time shadow batting over the rain-soaked covers at Old Trafford #ENGvIND — Kaushik R (@kaushik_cb) July 22, 2025 When India skipper Shubman Gill was asked about the possibility of dropping Karun Nair from the Manchester Test, he refused to throw in the towel for the veteran batter. Nair doesn't have scores to his name, but the management seems not to have given up on him yet. In the three matches so far, the 33-year-old has registered scores of 0, 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14. "We think Karun is batting well. The first match he didn't really play at his number (batted at 6). It's difficult when a player is making a comeback in a series like this, you know. But I don't think there's been any issue with his batting. Sometimes it's also about getting that click, you know. Once you're able to make your 50, then you're able to get back into your zone and get some big runs. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened for him so far," Gill said on Karun in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. In such a case, it does become difficult to predict which player Sudharsan would replace, if he is given a slot in the team for the 4th Test. But, considering head coach Gautam Gambhir's love for all-rounders, Sai isn't likely to be selected in place of Nitish. Hence, Karun might just miss out on a spot in the playing XI. Another option is to add another batter by dropping Washington Sundar.
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First Post
4 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Amid reports of Karun Nair being axed, Harbhajan, Aakash Chopra rally behind the batter: 'All players deserve fair chance'
Some of the major media outlets have reported that Karun Nair is set to be axed from India's playing XI for the fourth Test against England. But Harbhajan Singh and Aakash Chopra are against this change. read more Harbhajan Singh and Aakash Chopra feel Karun Nair should play for India in fourth Test vs England. Images: Reuters/Harbhajan Singh on X/ Aakash Chopra on X Former Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Aakash Chopra have rallied behind Karun Nair amid reports that the batter may get dropped from the playing XI in the fourth Test against England that starts on 23 July (Wednesday) at Manchester. Reports in the Indian Express and Hindustan Times have stated that Karun Nair could sit out to make way for Sai Sudharsan. Karun Nair, who made a return to Team India after a gap of more than eight years, has returned scores of 0, 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14 in the six innings so far in three Test matches as India find themselves 2-1 down in the five-match series. The batter has been guilty of failing to make the most of multiple starts and there's a feeling that the Indian cricket team management may go back to Sudharsan, who scored 0 and 30 on his Test debut in Headingley. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Anjum Chopra exclusive on Shubman Gill's captaincy and Lord's Test defeat India are also expected to make two more changes to their playing XI. Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj and Shardul Thakur could come in for injured Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Harbhajan, Aakash Chopra come out in Karun Nair's support Former Indian spinner and legendary cricketer Harbhajan feels the management needs to back Nair in the same way they supported captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul in the past. 'Yes, Karun has not scored runs, but if you gave him a chance, then persist with him for a while. All players deserve a fair chance. Karun deserves it now, and the likes of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul deserved it in the past,' Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel. Also Read | Manchester weather forecast: Rain could spoil Shubman Gill-led India's party at Old Trafford Bhajji added that dropping Sudharsan after just one match was not the right decision but now that Nair has been given opportunities, India need to show some patience with him. 'So, the criteria should be the same for everyone. If others got five or sixes changes, then what crime has Karun committed? I feel that giving just one opportunity to Sai Sudharsan was not justified, but now that you have persisted with Karun till now, then play him here was well,' he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Irfan Pathan tells Bumrah to learn from Ben Stokes, put in extra effort for India While analysing the matter on his YouTube channel, former India opener Aakash Chopra said that Nair must be given one more opportunity as he has not looked out of place. 'There will be a question at No. 3 as to whether Karun Nair should be given one more chance. Karun Nair hasn't looked completely out of sorts. However, he hasn't scored enough runs for you to say his selection is certain. I am still tempted to play him another match at No. 3 because he might not get a chance again,' Chopra said.
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Indian officials condemn Western media over Air India plane crash reports
Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu expressed full confidence in India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is leading the probe into the June 12 crash in Ahmedabad that killed 260 people, making it the deadliest Indian aviation disaster in four decades. The comments come ahead of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's trip to the UK. He will be in London today and tomorrow where he is slated to meet his British counterpart, Keir Starmer. The aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel in a residential area of Ahmedabad. Among the dead, 52 were British nationals. The sole survivor was a British man, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. 'AAIB has made an appeal to all, especially western media houses, which may have a vested interest in the kind of articles they are trying to publish. I believe in AAIB. I believe in the work that they are doing,' he said, according to the Indian Express. The minister commended the AAIB for decoding the aircraft's black box domestically, describing it as a 'huge success', as previous incidents typically required the data to be sent abroad for analysis. Mr Kinjarapu's remarks came days after the AAIB publicly urged both the media and the public to 'refrain from spreading premature narratives' about the crash. Its director general, GVG Yugandhar, noted that the preliminary report aimed only to present early findings and did not apportion blame. He also criticised 'irresponsible' reporting by international media, accusing them of selectively using unverified information to suggest pilot error. The preliminary report, released on July 12, revealed that both fuel control switches of the Boeing 787-8's engines moved from 'run' to 'cut off' within one second, moments after take-off, leading to an immediate loss of power. The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other why the fuel was cut off, to which the second replied that he had not done so. The document does not state who, if anyone, moved the switches, using the neutral term 'transitioned' and offering no conclusions on intent or fault. It also notes no technical fault in the aircraft. However, some international reports implied pilot error, prompting backlash from India's aviation fraternity.
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First Post
6 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
FTA signing, talks on Khalistan and more... Why PM Modi's UK visit is important
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is off for his fourth trip to the United Kingdom. The visit, which begins today (July 23), is expected to witness the signing of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Modi's discussions with British PM Keir Starmer will also touch upon a range of bilateral issues including security and technology read more PM Narendra Modi will hold talks with British PM Keir Starmer on a range of issues. File Photo/Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on an official visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday (July 23). The trip is expected to witness the signing of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK. The two sides had concluded negotiations for the trade agreement on May 6. During his trip, Modi will discuss various issues with British PM Keir Starmer concerning bilateral relations. From the UK, PM Modi will depart for Maldives for a state visit from July 25-26. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the Indian leader begins his two-nation tour, here's what's on the agenda during the UK visit. Recent uptick in India-UK ties The relations between India and the UK have been on the rise in recent years. The Strategic Partnership between the two countries was elevated to Enhanced Partnership for the Future in 2010. The historical ties have got a boost since Brexit. In 2021, India and the UK upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They also adopted Roadmap 2030 to boost the relations in trade and investment, defence and security, and people-to-people contact and so on. In 2023, India and the UK established the 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue. Last year, they launched the Technology Security Initiative. In May, New Delhi and London concluded talks to reach a bilateral Free Trade Agreement deal, discussions for which first began in January 2022. Business ties have also enhanced between India and the UK, with goods trade surpassing $23 billion in 2024-25, Indian Express reported, citing data by Indian government sources. PM Modi in the UK PM Narendra Modi, who is on his fourth visit to the UK, will hold discussions with his British counterpart Keir Starmer on a range of bilateral issues. 'They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance,' the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in the official announcement. The Indian leader is also slated to meet King Charles III. PM Narendra Modi interacts with Britain's Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G20 summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November 2024. File Photo/Reuters During the visit, PM Modi will review the state of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), 'with a specific focus on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate, health, education and people to people ties,' the MEA said. PM Modi is also likely to interact with business leaders in the UK. FTA, Khalistan & more A key part of PM Modi's UK visit is the finalisation of the trade agreement between the two countries. India and the UK are expected to sign the FTA on July 24. 'We are working on legal scrubbing and other last-minute work that needs to be done,' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told a press conference on Tuesday, ahead of PM Modi's visit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The India-UK FTA would eliminate duties on 99 per cent of Indian exports to Britain, including key sectors such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery and auto parts and engines. In return, India will reduce or remove tariffs on 90 per cent of British products, including medical devices and alcoholic beverages. According to British estimates, the India-UK FTA will enhance bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually by 2040. PM Modi had announced the trade deal with the UK on May 6, calling it 'ambitious and mutually beneficial'. The UK government has described the agreement as 'the biggest and most economically significant bilateral trade deal'. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will accompany PM Modi to London for the signing of the India-UK FTA. The talks will reportedly feature matters related to security and technology. India is likely to raise the issue of a surge in Khalistani threat in the UK. 'The presence of Khalistani extremists…we have brought to the attention of our partners in the UK. This should be a matter of concern for our partners as well,' Misri told the media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Modi had flagged the issue to Starmer on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada in June. The two leaders had also interacted during the G20 Summit in Brazil last year. The extradition of fugitives could also be among the top agendas during PM Modi's UK visit. India is seeking the extradition of Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, who are wanted for financial fraud, from the UK. 'There are a few questions related to fugitives from Indian law and justice in the UK. These have been a matter of discussion between both sides, and we continue to make the case for these fugitives to be rendered to India. Obviously, there is a legal process that such requests and such issues go through in the other country, and we continue to follow up very closely with our partners in the UK on these matters,' the Indian foreign secretary said. With inputs from agencies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
News18
7 hours ago
- News18
Family Of Kerala Woman Found Dead In UAE Releases Videos, Alleges Abuse By Husband
Last Updated: Athulya, a Kerala woman found dead in her Sharjah flat, was allegedly abused by her husband Satheesh, with videos of violence now surfacing. Her family suspects foul play. The family members of Kerala native Athulya, who was found dead in her flat in Sharjah on July 19, have released videos that purportedly show their daughter being abused by her husband, Satheesh, the Indian Express reported. Multiple videos of the deceased woman and her husband were being shared on social media, showing the man, believed to be Satheesh, behaving violently with Athulya. However, News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos. While Athulya's death is being probed as a suicide, her parents alleged she was being harassed by her husband for dowry. A native of Chavara in Kerala's Kollam district, Athulya was found dead on July 19 in her flat in Sharjah, where she lived with her husband, Satheesh Sankar. Her father, Rajasekharan, told reporters that Athulya was planning to start a new job. 'Satheesh never allowed her to go for a job. Her plan was to find a job and stand on her own feet to look after her daughter, The Indian Express quoted the woman's father as saying. 'Last year, she had complained to me that she faced torture from her husband. However, she continued to stay with Satheesh after he apologised and promised not to repeat such acts," the father said. Earlier too, in a statement, Athulya's father had said he did not believe his daughter died by suicide, and called her death 'mysterious". 'I don't believe that my daughter will die by suicide. She shared a very intimate relationship with her daughter. Her death is mysterious," he said. 'We have to find out what exactly happened to her. He (the woman's husband) is an alcoholic. He gets violent always," the woman's father alleged. In an earlier development, Athulya's husband had admitted to beating her and justified the assault, saying he did it 'out of love". As the matter was reported, a case against Satheesh was registered under Sections 85, 115(2),118(1),103(1) and under Section 4,3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, against Satheesh, the husband of the woman. A First Information Report (FIR) in the case also mentioned that the family had given Athulya a two-wheeler and gold as dowry during her marriage with Satheesh. Meanwhile, the police investigating the case said a team would bring the accused to Kerala once the legal formalities are completed. The postmortem report of the woman was also awaited. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
